Monday game report: Bucks at Clippers

ON THE COURT

PLAYER OF THE GAME: This wasn't a difficult choice. Clippers forward Blake Griffin dominated with 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists while leading Los Angeles to a ninth straight victory at home.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Griffin saved a ball inbounds after Bucks guard Keyon Dooling lost it, and the play started a fast break that the Clippers cashed in for an important basket by Baron Davis, who was fouled on the play. Davis hit the free throw after a timeout to give the Clippers a 92-84 lead with 5:57 remaining.

PLAYING THE NUMBERS: Griffin had 30 points through the first three quarters on 12-of-18 shooting and had nine rebounds and five assists. He added just two points, two rebounds and one assist in the fourth quarter.

BUCKS BANTER: The Bucks are facing a true test this week with their three-game western swing. The Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are sub-.500 teams, but all have been playing well recently. Los Angeles brought an eight-game home winning streak into Monday night's game at the Staples Center. "All the teams have records around ours," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "This is a logical time for us to start playing really well and our guys are starting to filter back right now. We're starting to get a little bit more healthy. It's hard to judge anybody on our team, and we don't want to judge anybody harshly, until all our guys are back. You can see the difference Carlos (Delfino) has made since he's been back."

UP NEXT

TEAMS: Bucks (19-27) vs. Phoenix Suns (22-24).

WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday.

WHERE: US Airways Center.

BROADCASTS: TV - FS Wisconsin. Radio - AM-620.

NOTEBOOK

UPPING THE ANTE: Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings was given an 18-minute limit for his second game back in the lineup after a nearly six-week layoff following surgery on his left foot.

"Obviously we've got to get Brandon back in the (starting) lineup, and we'll do that whenever they green-light him that he can play more than 20 minutes," Skiles said. "That's probably the next game (Wednesday at Phoenix), if everything goes OK tonight."

Jennings played 11 minutes in his return and had two points against New Jersey on Saturday night.

Skiles said shooting guard John Salmons was very close to returning. The veteran missed his eighth consecutive game with a right hip strain on Monday.

Delfino started at shooting guard for the second straight game after his 21-point performance in the Bucks' home victory over New Jersey. Chris Douglas-Roberts, who had been starting in Salmons' absence but missed Saturday's game due to a funeral, came off the bench against the Clippers.

STRONG MAN: Skiles knew the Bucks would face a major challenge in trying to control Clippers rookie Griffin.

Bucks forwards Ersan Ilyasova and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute were giving away pounds and muscle to the athletic Griffin.

"They've guarded other guys that have some similarities," Skiles said. "They have to keep him from catching it where he wants it, not let him get it deep. When they gain possession of the ball, try to run and get to his body so he's not just running freely down the floor. Get a body on him."